Dispelling the myth of "compassion fatigue."

Has Japan Fully Recovered?

Nearly seven months ago, cascading natural disasters struck Japan. The earthquake and tsunami claimed thousands of lives and feverishly thumped against the resiliency of survivors. Natural disasters have no political agenda; these forces act indiscriminately. This emphasized a sense of shared humanity that enticed the international community to mobilize support.

In America, celebrities like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian and James Taylor assumed the role of humanitarian ambassadors. Aid for Japan was packaged into something consumers could purchase – a ticket to a benefit concert or a limited edition Gap t-shirt. Popular culture seemed so concerned that the fading hype of these channels of aid seemed to signal the full recovery of Japan. But the recovery of a nation is a process that often exceeds spectators’ attention span.

When I began searching for updates on the quality of life in Japan, I had to dig deeper than the headlines on major news sites. Emergency relief no longer dominates conversation; rather, issues of economic recovery and sports news seem to be at the forefront of international interest. However, one element of human interest lingers. The unresolved nuclear reactor situation has far reaching health and environmental implications that keep buzz words like “Fukushima” and “radiation” alive. From this we can sense that Japan is not yet “in the clear,” but our interest wanes in the cryptic details of this threat.

Part of the clarity issue stems from the fact that science and health officials, themselves, are unsure of the long-term effects of radiation. Chernobyl (1986) seems like a good case study for better predicting the health consequences of a nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, poor public health records in Ukraine made it difficult to pinpoint a causal relationship between Chernobyl fallout and civilian deaths, birth defects, and health abnormalities. Without documented proof, those negatively affected by the radiation were disenfranchised.

I investigated the effects of Chernobyl 20 years after the nuclear melt down as a writer for NEED Magazine and became more aware of what happens when a government does not prioritize the well being of its people. Japan faces a similar responsibility to its citizens and the pressing question becomes: where does its level of commitment stand?

Today, a New York Times article declared, “Japan has begun a long-term survey of local children for thyroid abnormalities, a problem associated with exposure to radiation.” Fukushima Prefecture officials hope to track the long-term health records of 360,000 children who were exposed and provide health care accordingly. The government’s intentions appear pragmatic and sincere, but it’s important that these types of health studies don’t lose traction, as life appears to return to normal.

Long-term health support for those exposed to hazardous levels of radiation is just as critical as the initial emergency relief efforts. So, whether you choose to get involved as a donor or simply bear witness, remember to look beyond the obvious crisis, such as ruined homes, to recognize the more low-profile consequences as well.

If you know of any updates on the recovery efforts in Japan that aren’t being picked up by main stream media (good or bad), please post a link to the article/organization in the comments section. Let’s keep the dialogue alive!

Thanks for the article! I’m also reading an article in this week’s New Yorker magazine titled “The Fallout: Seven Months Later: Japan’s Nuclear Predicament.” I just find it interesting that it took seven months for these updates to surface – what an odd anniversary to publicize. I’ll post more on this topic once I’ve read both articles!